Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Chris Roling

Zac Taylor explains crucial third-down run by Samaje Perine in Super Bowl LVI

With the game on the line late in Super Bowl LVI, the Cincinnati Bengals offense opted for a run on third-and-short with backup running back Samaje Perine, not star running back Joe Mixon.

After the heartbreaker of a loss, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was in front of the media trying to explain the call.

He started with this, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic: “They were getting a little softer. Thought we could steal a first down then take some shots at the end zone.”

With seconds left and the team flirting with Evan McPherson field-goal range, Perine got stuffed for no gain, then a Burrow pass attempt fell short on 4th-and-1 to end the game.

Given the circumstances, this won’t be the last time the Bengals get asked why the highly-paid Mixon, who rushed 15 times for 72 yards on a 4.8 average, wasn’t the guy with the ball in his hands when it mattered most.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.